OPT or Golden Star ?

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10-09-2025, 01:36
laserLips

OPT or Golden Star ?

What do we think guys?

I'm nearly ready to buy a couple of new lasers. Of course I'd love some Unity Pro's but they are out of my budget.

So question is OPT Lasers or Golden Star Lasers?

I think I know who I'd go for but what do you think?

Graham
10-12-2025, 16:47
TheHermit

Quote:

Originally Posted by laserLips

What do we think guys?

I'm nearly ready to buy a couple of new lasers. Of course I'd love some Unity Pro's but they are out of my budget.

So question is OPT Lasers or Golden Star Lasers?

I think I know who I'd go for but what do you think?

Graham

I upgraded to OPTlaser's PD3000 RGB projector with low divergence optics and DT-40 galvos. Very pleased with the beam quality & price, I ordered an identical W3000-RGB module for my 2nd DIY projector build.
Their sales staff and customer service have been excellent.
However, they have discontinued their product lines below 4W.
Of course, my limited experience with OPTlaser doesn't reflect anything against Golden State Lasers, of which I've seen others recommending, as well.
Keep in mind the looming tariff wars against China. That could become a significant deal breaker.
JS
Roj
10-12-2025, 23:49
laserLips

Hi Roj.

I hadn't thought about the trade wars. I've literary just put my laser money all on a coin called FARTCOIN to ride this current crypto wave of recovery so I can afford a Pangolin discoscan and perhaps another laser. I'm in the UK but no doubt it will affect me too.

When is the war due to end and the final tarrif slapped on China? I hear DT already put 100% tarrif on. I'm not really following it.
And yes I have lasers from Golden Star only and have been talking with OPT lasers recently. Their prices and power beat Golden Star. The price of a 25 Watt is the same as the 6 Watt I got back in 2015. Mental.
The lasers I have now all from Golden Star have done many shows and in nasty conditions so heads up Golden Star - They have been really great to me. Their customer service is also very good.
But I think OPT next.
G
10-28-2025, 12:53
masterpj

golden star, better beam.. thicker heat sink... diode protection and less overdriving and more correction.
The thing is not all 25w is the same.. there is a good reason for the difference in price and its not all down to markups.
10-30-2025, 07:37
mixedgas

Goldenstar's digital diode driver offers advantages in color representation, color tends to stay the same during fades etc. For graphics and logos the digital driver is impeccable. You can dial it down to 100 mW or less and white stays white.

Steve
10-31-2025, 05:42
swamidog

OPT is also using digital drivers. they may be the same. i'm not sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mixedgas

Goldenstar's digital diode driver offers advantages in color representation, color tends to stay the same during fades etc. For graphics and logos the digital driver is impeccable. You can dial it down to 100 mW or less and white stays white.

Steve
11-03-2025, 00:02
mrfloppy

Quote:

Originally Posted by swamidog

OPT is also using digital drivers. they may be the same. i'm not sure.

AFAIK my Tmax uses a GS module which uses the DT XEON driver
ive been talking with OPT and they have their own digital driver and even sent me the tuning software for it (if a diode needs replacing you will need this)

so they are not the same at all, and all i can say without trying OPT's one is, the XEON Driver is Awesome!
11-03-2025, 07:16
TheHermit

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrfloppy

AFAIK my Tmax uses a GS module which uses the DT XEON driver
ive been talking with OPT and they have their own digital driver and even sent me the tuning software for it (if a diode needs replacing you will need this)

so they are not the same at all, and all i can say without trying OPT's one is, the XEON Driver is Awesome!

Great info to know!
With 2 * OPT modules, I'm likely going to need OPT's tuning software sooner or later.
Mind sharing it on this thread or via PM?
Thanks in advance 👍
Roj
11-04-2025, 23:15
mrfloppy

1 Attachment(s)

oh yeah sure, I just asked nicely and recieved, so i dont think anybody minds me sharing :)

you'll need a Serial adapter for it, i dont know which one exactly as i dont have a OPT box yet... but im guessing something fairly simple...

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrfloppy

oh yeah sure, I just asked nicely and recieved, so i dont think anybody minds me sharing :)

Thanks!
The zip contains a flat folder structure with *.dll's & an executable, which runs.
Appears to be a very detailed tool, not only for display projectors, but engravers, as well. However, the zip contains no instructions.
Attachment 62043
But, after digging deeper into OPTlaser's site, I found these following very informative diode driver manuals..
OPTlaser's Driver Manuals URL:

2.1 Laser Diode Drivers – Manuals

Webpage has more, but PL made me trim down the characters.
Table of visible diode driver manuals:

File name Description

LPLDD 5A 12V Laser Diode Driver Manual Manual for the LPLDD 5 A 12 V Laser Diode Driver. With appropriate PSU, this driver can power literally every laser diode available on the market up to 5W - 405 nm, 445 nm, 520 nm, 638 nm, 650 nm, 808 nm, 980 nm. The examples of laser diodes are: 1 W 445 nm, 3,5 W 445 nm, 6 W 445nm, 700 mW 635 nm, 200 mW 808 nm, 1 W 808 nm, 5 W 808 nm, 1W 520nm.

LPLDD-5A-24V-TP Laser Diode Driver Manual Manual of the LPLDD-5A-24V-TP Laser Diode Driver.LPLDD5A-24V-TP driver is capable to power literally every laser diode available on the market up to 5 W - 405 nm, 445 nm, 520 nm, 638 nm, 650 nm, 808 nm, 980 nm. For example, it can power: 1 W 445 nm, 3.5 W 445 nm, 700 mW 635 nm, 200 mW 808 nm, 1 W 808 nm, 5 W 808 nm, 1 W 520 nm laser diodes.

LPLDD-xA-16V-3CH Laser Diode Driver Manual Manual of the 16V 1A and 5A Laser Diode Driver, the 3-channel version of the LPLDD-5A-12V, that can be used e.g. for RGB laser systems.

File name	Description
LPLDD 5A 12V Laser Diode Driver Manual	Manual for the LPLDD 5 A 12 V Laser Diode Driver. With appropriate PSU, this driver can power literally every laser diode available on the market up to 5W - 405 nm, 445 nm, 520 nm, 638 nm, 650 nm, 808 nm, 980 nm. The examples of laser diodes are: 1 W 445 nm, 3,5 W 445 nm, 6 W 445nm, 700 mW 635 nm, 200 mW 808 nm, 1 W 808 nm, 5 W 808 nm, 1W 520nm.
LPLDD-5A-24V-TP Laser Diode Driver Manual	Manual of the LPLDD-5A-24V-TP Laser Diode Driver.LPLDD5A-24V-TP driver is capable to power literally every laser diode available on the market up to 5 W - 405 nm, 445 nm, 520 nm, 638 nm, 650 nm, 808 nm, 980 nm. For example, it can power: 1 W 445 nm, 3.5 W 445 nm, 700 mW 635 nm, 200 mW 808 nm, 1 W 808 nm, 5 W 808 nm, 1 W 520 nm laser diodes.
LPLDD-xA-16V-3CH Laser Diode Driver Manual	Manual of the 16V 1A and 5A Laser Diode Driver, the 3-channel version of the LPLDD-5A-12V, that can be used e.g. for RGB laser systems.